This is the question most guides answer wrongly, because they copy the format used for other travel authorisations. A K-ETA is permission to board and to be assessed on arrival. It does not contain a length of stay. Your permitted stay comes from the visa-waiver arrangement between Korea and the country that issued your passport, and it is typically somewhere in the range of 30 to 90 days.
Why no single number exists
- Each visa-waiver arrangement is negotiated separately, so the figure differs by nationality
- The K-ETA record itself carries no stay period
- The immigration officer at the airport sets the actual permitted stay on entry
How to find your number
Check the visa-waiver arrangement for your nationality on the official portal before you book. If a site tells you a single figure that applies to everyone, it is not describing how this works.
The two things that are separate
- K-ETA validity — 3 years, or until your passport expires
- Permitted stay — set per entry, from your country's arrangement (30 to 90 days)
Source: K-ETA official portal
⚠️ Many nationalities are temporarily exempt from K-ETA until 31 December 2026. Being exempt from the K-ETA does not change your permitted stay — that still comes from the visa-waiver arrangement.
More about K-ETA
What is K-ETA
K-ETA is an electronic travel authorisation for visa-free travellers to South Korea. What it is, who it applies to, and why many nationalities do not need it right now.
Do I need K-ETA?
Many nationalities are temporarily exempt from K-ETA. How to check your own passport, and what applies if you are not exempt.
How to apply
Applying for K-ETA on the official site: what you need in front of you, where people get stuck, and what happens after you submit.
Cost
What K-ETA actually costs on the official site, why third-party sites charge more, and when the cost is zero.
What you need
What you must have ready to complete a K-ETA application, and the photo and name rules that cause most rejections.
Processing time
Official guidance on K-ETA processing, what makes it slower, and why no paid service can speed it up.